Fight Rape Culture! Join Resilience’s Volunteer Program!

Resilience is an Illinois not-for-profit that works to affect positive social change for sexual assault survivors through direct support service and by raising awareness through education and advocacy. And it’s the Resilience volunteers who make all the difference in our work to end sexual violence and help every victim become a survivor. Join us in our stand against sexual violence.

Volunteer Opportunities with Resilience

Thanks to more than 260 Volunteer Medical Advocates, we are able to ensure that survivors who receive emergency treatment at our 16 partner hospitals are never alone. In addition to advocacy, Resilience volunteers support our Education & Training programming and participate in social justice activism, such as our annual Standing Silent Witness demonstration each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you have further questions, contact us at volunteer@ourresilience.org or at 312-443-9603.

Volunteer Medical Advocates

Resilience volunteer advocates are here exclusively to serve the needs of survivors and are often the sole person on whom survivors can count to protect their rights and ensure consistent, specialized, and humane treatment in the face of such unimaginable trauma.

Roles & Responsibilities

Our advocates are on-call to provide crisis counseling in our 16 Chicagoland partner hospitals. They are the people who respond to the page from the hospital emergency room—the caring strangers who arrive to hold an unsteady hand, decipher medical and legal terminology, and filter through countless forms and paperwork, all to support survivors on their healing journey. Advocates are required to:

Become certified Rape Crisis Counselor in the state of Illinois (60 hours of training required)

Commit to a full year of service

Be on-call to provide crisis counseling for at least two 12-hour shifts per month

With the survivor’s permission, advocates are expected to remain with the survivor throughout the medical examination and evidence collection. Crisis intervention counseling will also be provided by the advocate for the survivor and significant others. When appropriate, advocates will accompany the survivor to the police station to file a report or for interviews by police or prosecutors. If a case is taken to court, a Resilience staff advocate can provide accompaniment and ongoing legal advocacy for the duration of the legal process, as needed.

Advocates must be 18 years of age or older.

How will I know if this is the right time for me to volunteer at Resilience?

If you identify as a survivor, it has been at least 1 year since you became personally connected to the issue of sexual violence, and, if applicable, it has been at least 1 year since you have stopped receiving services from Resilience or another rape crisis center. Additionally, if you identify as a survivor, you have processed your experience through counseling or another method and you do not feel a sense of crisis in your daily life.

You are not currently struggling with substance use or self-harm.

You have a strong support system in place and can identify those whom would be supportive of your volunteer experience with a rape crisis center.

You have minimally 24 hours available each month to share with Resilience for 12 months.

If you are unsure about volunteering, you are always welcome to apply, attend an orientation session, and make your decision with the support of staff who can answer your questions.

Education & Training Volunteers

While our hallmark continues to be the 24-hour crisis counseling, we help to effect positive social change in schools, businesses, and the community at large through our education and training programs.

Roles & Responsibilities

Resilience provides public education to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault. Educators speak at schools, rallies, help train new medical advocates and others working directly with survivors, including medical and law enforcement personnel. Resilience educators are expected to:

Complete the 60 hour medical advocacy training

Complete additional training, as needed

Train new advocates or professionals

Give public talks on sexual violence

Resilience’s education and training programs reach hundreds of adult community members and tens of thousands of children and youth throughout Chicago annually.

Educators must be 18 years of age or older.

Short-Term Opportunities: Special Events

Resilience hosts special events, including a wide variety of events during Sexual Assault Awareness Month where volunteers can assist with making grounding stones, decorating t-shirts, and participating in an open mic or demonstration. We always welcome people to attend our events, and special opportunities may be available for short-term volunteers. Contact the office for more information at info@ourresilience.org.

Board of Directors

Volunteers and members of the community are welcome to serve on one of many different committees which help meet current needs and determine the future of our organization. There is an application process to become a member of our board.

The Board of Directors is responsible for

Ensuring Resilience’s programs and services are consistent with its mission and purpose.

Ensuring adequate resources, including fundraising, for Resilience to fulfill its mission.

Ensuring legal and ethical integrity and maintaining accountability. The board is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.

Ensuring effective organizational planning. The board actively participates in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals.

Recruiting and orienting new board members and assessing board performance.

Enhancing Resilience’s public standing. The board clearly articulates the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.

Supporting the Executive Director and assessing her or his performance. The board ensures that the ED has the moral and professional support he or she needs to further the goals of Resilience.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organization that makes a real impact on the lives of sexual assault survivors, their families, and our communities. There is an application process to become a member of our board. To learn more about serving on Resilience’s Board of Directors, please contact Erin Walton, Executive Director, at (312) 443-9603 or via email.

Associate Board

The Associate Board is an inclusive group that supports the work of Resilience while having fun together. Associate Board members attend monthly meetings, contribute $500 annually through fundraising and personal donations, and make a two-year commitment. Learn more about serving on the Associate Board here.

OurMusicMyBody

This collaborative campaign led by Between Friends and Resilience was created to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the music scene. We do this work because we believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe when they go to a concert or festival. OurMusicMyBody works with festival and venue staff, musicians, and music fans alike to create fun and consensual music experiences for all.

Become a Volunteer Today!

Upcoming Volunteer Training Dates & Deadlines

Winter 2020Application Deadline: December 27, 2019Orientation Session (by invitation only): January 6, 8, or 9, between 5:30PM–9:30PMTraining Dates: January 22–February 26, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 5:30PM–9:30PM*Training will not be held on 1/20/20*

“Survivors of sexual assault who were assisted by rape crisis center advocates received more medical and legal services, and were less distressed by their interactions with law enforcement and medical personnel.”